LAUSR

Abstract Reliability of a method for cancer detection is a key issue. It is because of fear for false positive and false negative results that no tumor marker has been recommended for cancer screening test yet. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is highly sensitive and a promising technique for cancer detection. However, huge spot-to-spot variation in SERS signal and false positive result in SERS-based immunoassay degrade its reliability. In this work, we designed gold nanoflower (AuNF)-based SERS method for detection of pancreatic cancer marker MUC4 and demonstrated approaches to improve reliability of the method. We employed Raman mapping over a large area of the substrate to minimize effect of spot-to-spot variation. Furthermore, the use of microwell plate for incubation of capture substrate minimized blank value significantly. The designed method is sensitive enough to detect MUC4 down to 0.1 ng mL−1. The use of AuNFs to construct both ERL and capture surface has contributed to the improved detection sensitivity.